Tillering a Bamboo belly/back bow???

[northland archer]

I have a question that i have not had to answer before.  I have built a few self bows but was wondering:  when one builds a laminated bamboo backed and belly bow, how do you control the weight and tiller it.  This would not be flat cut bamboo material but cane on both front and back.  I hope i am being clear enough, i am looking to build about a 62" reflexed longbow in the 50 pound range.  Thanks for any help you may have.

Thanks Much

[b.glass]

There was a build-a-long not too long ago that might be a good place to start for you. I have tried it myself but the afternoon I glued it up turned into a 30 something degree night and the glue up failed.

I know there are some things I could have done differently to make it work but it was probably a blessing. I think I will try again but I need to thin my bamboo slats a little more.

When I have a chance I will let you know how it goes for me next time.

Bona

[Pat B]

Like with a glass lam bow a boo back/belly bow is tillered before it is built. It is engineered so after glue up and clean up only a little tweaking is necessary for a fully tillered bow to the draw and weight you are aiming for. You can work the sides to tweak it a little but most of it is done when you prepare your boo and grind the lams for the core and the form you glue it up on.

[northland archer]

That makes sense now that it is explained that way.  Thanks Bona, I will check out the build along.  I am sure i will have more questions.  Any formulas for a 50 pound bow in the 62" length?

[b.glass]

I brought the thread started by dutchwarbow to the top for you Treavor. On the last page, a couple of posts from the bottom he gives some measurements.

Bona

[northland archer]

Thanks much, i will get to it.  Have to get the bow done before it gets too cold to work in the garage.

Thanks
Treavor